Precast modular concrete shapes and methods of installation to form shoreline stabilization, marine and terrestrial structures

ABSTRACT

Novel precast concrete boxes are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, boathouses and the like. The boxes can be sized and proportioned so as to be conveniently assembled in such structures and to be easily transported via intermodal transportation media. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes are disclosed. Shellfish habitats based upon the boxes are also disclosed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the prior application U.S. Ser. No.08/285,052 of applicant Veazey et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736,issued Dec. 16, 1997, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application pertains to precast concrete structures of varioussizes and shapes which are suitable for installation as integratedsystems to form seawalls and various shoreline reinforcement systems forlimiting shoreline erosion by rivers, lakes, oceans, sounds and othermajor bodies of water, as well as terrestrial structures for terracing,dams, bridges, buildings, etc.

2. The patent referred to above provides a summary of relevant priorart. While many techniques have been developed for reinforcingshorelines, as described in that patent and various publications of theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there is still considerable room forimprovement. Applicant's company Seament Shoreline Systems, Inc. ofVirginia and its subcontractors have completed many shorelineinstallations using the components and methods disclosed in the abovepatent. The Corps of Engineers publication “LOW COST SHORE PROTECTION .. . a Property Owner's Guide” discloses at page 154 the use of precastopen concrete boxes filled with sand to form waterfront sills to retainperched beaches. U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 discloses in columns 8-9 theuse of precast concrete boxes as alternatives to Double “T” units(discussed below) for constructing pier-groins extending seaward from aseawall and for use in forming underwater and near-shore) breakwaters.Columns 12-13 and FIGS. 20 to 25 discuss the use of such concrete boxesto form floating pier assemblies.

Catalogs of Admiral Marine Co. (Staten Island, N.Y., New Orleans,Oakland, Calif. and Chicago) and Peck & Hale (West Sayville, N.Y. andKowloon, HONG KONG) disclose various metal fastening devices which couldbe employed to connect certain components of the present invention toform structures.

Changing weather patterns and rising sea levels have increased the riskof shoreline damage from hurricanes and other storms, whileenvironmental and zoning laws in many cases make it very difficult torebuild shoreline structures which are destroyed or damaged.Accordingly, it is prudent for both private owners and governmentalbodies to take timely steps to protect waterfront installations fromforeseeable damage. Normally, large stone rip-rap revetments, groins orbreakwaters have been used for such protection. However, these methodsrequire that a large total mass of materials be transported to the site.Such rocks are difficult to handle, cannot be interconnected or floatedinto place and are not easily relocatable. Furthermmore, such rocks arenot amenable to intermodal transport or use in a modular system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide easily transportableconstruction components which can be used to control shoreline erosion.As another object, such components should be provided in sizes, shapesand proportions which are compatible with existing trucks, railcars andmaritime transportation modes as well as adapted to existing materialshandling equipment. As a further object, the components should betransportable in segments so that they can be moved into positions forinstallation through crowded beachfront areas, by land, water oraircraft such as heavy lift helicopters, blimps or dirigibles.

Another object of the invention is to provide such constructioncomponents as partially-closed containers which are light in weight butcan be filled with available liquid or solid materials at theinstallation site to substantially increase their mass at little cost. Afurther object of the invention is to provide construction componentswhich can be filled with solids, gases or liquids to increase theirmasses when installed as part of a structure, simultaneously serving assealed storage containers for such materials for later use.

An additional object of the invention is to provide constructioncomponents which have the largest masses practicable when filled withballasting material and installed to form structures. Maximizing themass of such components is desirable to equip the structures to resistthe large forces generated by storm waves, currents, floods, mudslides,earthquakes and other natural disasters. Such maximizing of mass canhave similar applications in combat engineering, where enemy artillery,bombardment and demolitions may be encountered. The underlying physicalprinciple is expressed by the equation F=ma, i.e. force equals masstimes acceleration. The forces generated by mudslides, floods,hurricanes and large storm waves, currents, etc. can be very strong.(See calculations in columns 17-20 of the patent referred to above.)However, if the resisting mass of an object is very large (especially incomparison to the surface area against which water pressure is exerted),the resulting acceleration of the object in response to a large forcecan be relatively small.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide constructioncomponents which have ratios of surface areas and installed masses tosuccessfully resist the forces which can be reasonably foreseen for theinstallation area. A further object is to provide such components whichcan be connected together when installed to form a structure, thusproviding very massive structures which will successfully resist theworst forces of nature with very little acceleration response or damage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide intermodal sets ofprecast concrete boxes which can be used as construction components forvarious civil, marine, commercial or military construction projects.Such components could be connected together to form causeways, fixed orfloating bridges, dams, drilling rigs, floating or fixed airport runwaysor helicopter pads, temporary or permanent shipping ports, temporarymilitary or naval facilities, “container ships”, relocatable modularwaterfront structures such as houses, and many other applications.

Another object of the invention is to employ recyled materials in theconcrete mix where possible to reduce material costs as well as to helpprotect the environment. For example, fly ash from power plants can besuccessfully used in various concrete mixtures for casting theconstruction components. Used tires can be used as gasket or cushioningmaterial to be placed between the precast constructions components insome installations.

Still another object of the invention is to provide methods ofinstalling precast concrete boxes in underwater positions bytransporting them on floating vessels and/or floating them intoapproximate position and sinking them into their final installedpositions. A related object is to provide vessels which are suitable fortransporting such boxes, either as deck cargo or as a floating componentof the vessel itself.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide shellfish habitatsbased upon precast concrete boxes which will allow shellfish to grow inunderwater areas separated from pollution or silting and facilitateconvenient and effective harvesting of the mature shellfish.

In accordance with the present invention, improved versions of theL-members of the previous patent (having vertical walls, horizontalfooters, vertical keys protruding below the footers and an angularsplash plate protruding from the member directly opposite the footer),with at least one substantially vertical passage penetrating the splashplate and key, with an upper inlet and a lower outlet to facilitatesetting the L-members in place by use of fluids comprising water underpressure emerging from the lower inlets of the passages. These L-memberscan be further improved by adding accessories including:

a) precast concrete components comprising channels adapted to form a capatop the vertical wall portion of an L-member and mechanically attachedthereto, and sections extending horizontally from the channels when thecap is in place, forming horizontal support surfaces substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical wall portion;

b) precast concrete components which are fastened to the upper surfacesof the horizontal sections described above, approximately perpendicularthereto, and either affixed thereto by mechanical attachments or precastas a unit therewith;

c) longitudinal precast concrete components having channels in each end,with one channel adapted to fit the top of the vertical wall portion ofthe L-member and emplaced thereon, with the other channel being adaptedto accommodate a horizontal railing member which is placed atop thelongitudinal members and fitted in the channels thereof to form arailing atop the vertical wall portion of the L-member;

d) precast concrete channel components having the cross-section of asquared letter “U”, with the groove adapted to fit the top of thevertical wall portion of the L-members, these channel components beingemplaced atop the L-members to form a cap atop the vertical wall portionthereof;

e) precast concrete components forming a step cap, comprising a portionto be attached to the upper portion of the vertical wall portion of anL-member, a portion extending downward therefrom at an obtuse angle tothe vertical, and forming at least two stair steps extending from thetop of the vertical wall portion to the base of the L-member, normallycomprising bracing means extending between the underside of the stairsteps and the splash plate and/or vertical wall portion of the L-memberto provide support for the stair steps.

As disclosed in the previous patent, these improved L-members can beassembled to form structures such as sea walls or bulkheads, and used inconjunction with precast concrete components placed perpendicular tosuch a sea wall as groins to form shoreline reinforcement systems. Avariety of precast concrete components can be used to form such systems,including T-walls, pi-walls, precast concrete boxes and the like, andconcrete mat sections can be used to fill in horizontal spaces betweensuch groins.

Precast concrete boxes of various types, including those disclosed inthe previous patent and new versions described below, can be used toform many structures, including sea walls or bulkheads and shorelinereinforcement systems based thereon, which may include such precastboxes and/or other precast components discussed above to form groins,horizontal sections, breakwaters and the like. Precast concrete boxescan also be employed to construct waterfront boathouses, either withsolid foundations or floating bases, and modular structures suitable fordwellings, offices or shops.

Novel systems of precast concrete boxes are provided which generallyhave the overall form of rectangular parallelepipeds. The boxes can beenclosed on all sides and provided with means for flooding with waterand subsequently expelling the water using air pressure or pumping meansto raise the sunken boxes. Alternatively, they can include openings suchas holes or slots, as disclosed in the previous patent. These and eventhe precast concrete boxes previously disclosed can be produced in sets,including at least two different sizes and sets of proportions whichpermit the boxes to be conveniently shipped together by intermodal meansof transport and also assembled together to form various structures. Theboxes have at least one dimension adapted to fit conveniently into atleast one transportation mode such as truck trailers, rail cars andcontainer ships, with a set including a plurality of boxes having atleast two different combinations of dimensions and/or proportions. Thesmaller boxes have at least one dimension which is a whole numberfraction of the corresponding dimension of the largest box of the set,which might be termed the “master box”. The boxes can be divided byhorizontal or vertical partitions into at least two separate innercompartments which can be independently flooded or blown, with valvesadapted to equalize air pressure and/or liquid contents between thesecompartments. In some embodiments, these boxes can have removableconcrete tops.

An embodiment of the enclosed boxes described above which is suitablefor constructing bridges and the like has the overall form of arectangular parallelepiped with five surfaces substantially enclosed,the sixth surface having the largest dimension of the box and the twosurfaces adjacent thereto being cut out to form a channel adjacent tothe sixth surface when it rests upon the ground. The portion of the boxbelow such cutouts can be left open or joined with an enclosure to sealthe box on all sides. Inlets can be provided to fill such boxes withsand, water or the like.

Various types of precast concrete boxes of the invention (and even theprior art) can be assembled to form waterfront structures such asboathouses, either on solid foundations or on floating assemblies of theboxes. With solid foundations, the cutout boxes described above can beemplaced upon the bottom to allow for the flow of water currents.

The enclosed precast concrete boxes of the invention can beinterconnected together by mechanical means to form bundles orassemblies like log booms to be towed or otherwise transported overwater. Further in accordance with the invention, such interconnectedgroups of concrete boxes which form a large rectangular mass can betransported by a self-propelled vessel for transporting floating objectswhich comprises separate bow and stern sections adapted to be fastenedtogether using mechanical means to form the vessel alone. When used fortransporting such assemblies of boxes (or other interconnected groups offloating objects such as logs, containers, tanks, floating drydocks orthe like), the two sections of the vessel are separated and connected tothe ends of the group of boxes to form a “stretched” vessel in which thegroup of boxes forms a midship section. The vessel is provided withconventional propulsion systems (in the stern section), thrusterpropulsion units to aid in maneuvering, anchors and power supplies fortheir operation and at least one crane for unloading and emplacing theboxes or other cargo at destination.

Further in accordance with the invention, certain embodiments of theprecast concrete boxes are used to form shellfish habitats, and arepreferably cast from concrete comprising crushed bivalve shells. Oystershells are preferred, but any calcareous shells can be used, such asclam, mussel or conch shells. The boxes can have holes and/or slots inthe walls, which can be temporarily plugged with knockout sections tofacilitate sinking the boxes in the water, and removable concrete tops.The tops can include various projections on one side (which is emplacedinside the box during transport, then reversed to face outward andupward during installation) to provide optimum surfaces for youngshellfish to adhere to. The projections can have the form of cylinders,conical sections or rectangular parallelepipeds, cast integrally withthe tops or mechanically affixed thereto. The tops can also be cast withbroken bivalve shells (such as oyster shells) adhering to the outersurface, to provide natural shell surfaces for the young shellfish toadhere to. Means are provided for removing and hoisting the lids of suchshellfish habitats for harvesting, and/or for expelling the water withinenclosed versions of the boxes and floating and/or hoisting them to thesurface.

In another embodiment, a shellfish habitat comprises a rectangularmeshwork container comprising a rigid frame and meshwork enclosuresurfaces to retain therein various objects which may provide appropriateshellfish habitat. The container has a shape and size suitable foremplacement atop precast concrete boxes as discussed above, and toaccept precast concrete tops fitted with projections for shellfishculture, also as described above. The container and/or cover are fittedwith cables or other mechanical devices for hoisting out of the waterfor harvesting of shellfish.

The precast concrete boxes of the invention can be installed in thewater along a shoreline by sealing all inlets below the expectedwaterline of the installed boxes, placing the boxes in the water andfloating them into position, then opening sufficient water inlets andair outlets to allow the boxes to sink into their assigned places. Inpreferred embodiments, these inlets and outlets can be opened remotely,and guidance can be provided to the boxes while they are being sunk intoposition. A group of such boxes can be interconnected and emplacedbeneath the water to form a submerged breakwater or reef by positioningthe connected boxes atop a flat deck of a vessel, emplacing an anchor onthe bottom near the planned installation position and attaching same toa cable slidably connecting the boxes on deck, launching the boxes intothe water while the vessel proceeds forward away from the anchor, thenmaneuvering the boxes into end-to-end contact and clamping the resultingstring of boxes into place on the cable, placing the resulting floatingstring of boxes into position directly above the planned installationposition, and finally, sinking the boxes while guiding them into finalposition by securing the forward end of the cable to a second anchor atthe opposite end of the string from the first anchor and applyingtension to the cable from the vessel.

The vessel used can be a barge, a vessel with a bow door and ramp (suchas Navy landing ship tank, landing craft mechanized, landing craftvehicle and personnel and the like) or a vessel with an after well deckaffording access to the water for floating boxes directly into the water(such as a Navy landing ship dock). A container ship with a flat deckand cranes to hoist the boxes from deck level to water level can also beused.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention are describedin, and will be apparent from, the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments together with the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art “L-wall” from U.S. Pat. No.5,697,736.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an inverted T-shaped unit from the samepatent.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a conventional “double T” or pi-shapedunit from the same patent.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of precast concrete boxes from the samepatent.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an improved “L-wall” for use in the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views of accessories in use with the L-wallsof FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate further refinement of the L-walls of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 10-12 are plan, side and end views of improved precast concreteboxes of the present invention.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are plan, side and end views, respectively, ofintermodal boxes of the invention arranged on deck for transport.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are end and plan views, respectively, of an underwaterbreakwater assembled of such boxes.

FIGS. 15-17 are plan, side and end views of such precast boxes withprovisions for sinking same in water and raising them thereafter.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a precast concrete box of the presentinvention floating near the surface of a body of water.

FIG. 19 is a top view of a series of precast concrete boxes connectedtogether to form a structure.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a precast concrete box of the invention whichhas been sunk to the bottom in a body of water.

FIGS. 21-23 illustrate anti-scour plates for use with the precastconcrete boxes of the invention.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate connecting devices for use with the precastconcrete boxes of the invention.

FIGS. 26-29 illustrate the employment of various connecting devices toconnect such boxes.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of a quick connection for an air hoseinserted into a hole in the tank which can be employed to refloat theprecast concrete boxes of the invention.

FIGS. 31-33 are end, plan and side views, respectively, of a waterfrontboathouse constructed with precast concrete boxes of the presentinvention, resting upon the bottom.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are end and plan views of a larger floating boathouseconstructed using three large precast concrete boxes of the invention.

FIGS. 36 and 37 are plan and side views of a conventional fixedboathouse using piles surrounded by concrete boxes to protect theboathouse from ice.

FIGS. 38-40 are side, top and end views of a modified precast concretebox of the invention which is suitable for building bridges.

FIG. 41 is a top view of a shoreline reinforcement system assembled fromprecast concrete boxes of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a side sectional view of the shoreline system of FIG. 41.

FIGS. 43-45 are side views of a ship designed to incorporate a moduleassembled of precast concrete boxes of the invention as the parallelmidbody of the ship in order to transport same.

FIGS. 46-48 are side views illustrating the launching of floatingprecast concrete boxes of the invention from a ship or barge and thesinking thereof to form an underwater structure.

FIGS. 49 and 50 are end and plan views, respectively, of a dwellingstructure assembled from precast concrete boxes.

FIGS. 51 and 52 are perspective views illustrating shellfish habitatsbased upon precast concrete boxes of the invention, with two types ofremovable concrete tops.

FIGS. 53 and 53A are perspective views illustrating another version ofshellfish habitat with removable top, including means for hoisting theassembly from underwater.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It should be understood that the following description of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the present invention is merely representativeof many possible embodiments and thus is not intended to limit the scopeof the invention. In the following description, like structures will bereferred to by similar numerical designations.

Referring now the the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an L-wallas disclosed in the earlier patent. FIG. 1 illustrates an L-shapedstructural member (2) of the above patent, intended for use in retainingwalls, seawalls and the like. Vertical wall or stem portion (4) issubstantially perpendicular to footer (6), and vertical key (8) extendsbelow the lower surface of the footer, essentially in line with thevertical wall portion. Angular splash plate (10) protrudes from wall(4)opposite footer (6), forming an obtuse angle (α) downward from the walland forming an acute angle (β) with the plane of the footer base. Thethicknesses of the vertical wall and footer portions can vary, beingthickest near their intersection where stresses are greatest andtapering toward their extremities. For optimum strength, such structuralmembers are cast with fiber or metal reinforcing bars (rebar) (12)emplaced vertically and horizontally as shown as shown to increase thestrength of the member in operation. Holes (14) are preferably formed inthe vertical wall and footer portions to provide drainage for liquidcollecting behind the retaining wall or seawall. Holes (16) can also beplaced to facilitate handling and temporary interconnection of theL-members as well as drainage.

The L-shaped members and other components disclosed herein can beprecast by conventional methods known in the art, and in some casesexisting commercial components can be utilized to assemble the novelshoreline reinforcement systems of the invention. When the componentsare to be exposed to salt water, it is preferred that all rebar be atleast about 2 inches from any surface of the cast bodies. Fiberreinforcement should be included in the concrete for strength, arelatively high proportion of Portland cement should be used in the mix,and the forms should permit a smooth finish to be obtained on thefinished molded objects. The forms should be subjected to vibration,using commercially available mechanisms, after the molds are filled toconsolidate the concrete and minimize voids or defects. Preferably, flyash and other recycled materials should be used in the concrete to theextent it is physically and economically beneficial.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an inverted T-shaped unit as disclosed inthe earlier patent. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of aninverted “T” wall or structural member (50) as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,697,736, having a vertical wall (52) and a symmetric base orfooter (53). Such components can be cast of concrete, preferablycontaining rebar reinforcement (54) as illustrated above for the “L”walls, in various sizes and proportions to suit the application. Forexample, for shoreline reinforcement systems exposed to water, such “T”walls can range from about 2 to about 6 feet high and from 2 to about 6feet wide, the ratio of height to width of the base ranging from about0.6 to about 1:1. The sections can range from about 6 to about 16 feetin length. Particularly when the installed structures will be exposed totidal flows, strong currents, surf or pack ice, the width of the baseand the lowness of the center of gravity should be emphasized tominimize the risk of tipping. A plurality of holes (56) can be formed inthe wall to facilitate handling, some sand and water bypass andinterconnection. Similar holes in the base permit the use of pins,harpoon type anchors or stakes (58) to secure the units to the beach.

In the present systems, these inverted “T” walls are used to form groinsextending seaward from a seawall or bulkhead, and may optionally be usedin rows parallel with the seawall as well, as part of a system toreinforce the shoreline, form a “perched beach” or the like. Such groinsare typically installed substantially perpendicular to the seawall andare used in pairs or greater numbers. The spacing and length of suchgroins must be carefully selected to encourage sand, gravel and othermaterial to collect on the beach. In some cases the effects of groins,seawalls and other beach reinforcement systems can be difficult topredict even after careful analysis. If necessary, the “L” walls andinverted “T” walls described above can be disconnected and relocated.Such analyses are beyond the scope of the present disclosure, but someguidelines may be found in “Low Cost Shore Protection”, published by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a conventional “double T” or pi-shapedunit from the earlier patent. FIG. 3 illustrates in cross-sectional viewconventional “Double T” cast concrete structural members (66) which maybe used in systems of the present invention. Such structural members areused in constructing parking garages. The lengths of such units canrange from about 20 to about 60 feet, with length limited mainly by thedifficulties of handling such heavy components over the road and alongshorelines where they are to be installed. Because of their dimensions,the two tapered upright sections (68) joined to the flat base portion(69) give the appearance of two “T” shapes joined side-to-side. Theunits are also known as “pi” units because of their resemblance to theGreek letter pi.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a precast concrete box which wasdisclosed in the earlier patent for use in constructing breakwaters andthe like. As an alternative to arrangements of inverted double “T” unitsto form pier groins, precast concrete boxes of various sizes can be usedfor various site-specific conditions. For instance, precast septic tankforms come in various sizes, e.g. approximately five feet wide by eightfeet long and three feet depth, with walls four inches thick. Concreteboxes made from these existing forms can be used with modifications ofopenings, stronger and more waterproof concrete, reinforcements,connecting devices and the like, being sunk in position to form the baseof pier-groins and the like and filled with water, rocks, sand orrubble. However, preferably they are adapted as shown in FIG. 4 anddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736, where the box (81) has four sideswhich have been perforated or slotted with circular holes (83) and/orrectangular slots (85) of a few inches diameter or width. This will makethe boxes easier to sink and anchor in position. As with the inverted Tunits shown in FIG. 2, the boxes can have holes formed in the bottom toaccommodate anchoring stakes of rebar, screw anchors such as shown inFIG. 24 of the previous patent, or other suitable anchoring means.Preferably plugs are used in the casting molds to form holes (83) orslots (85) which are sealed by thin layers of concrete. Such holes willalso make it easier to sink the boxes in the water, as the thin“knockout” portions of the concrete can be punched out once the boxeshave been floated into position. Once sunk, of course, it is difficultto refloat such boxes, unless plugs are inserted in the smooth ends ofthe holes or slots.

Such perforated and/or slotted boxes can serve an additional functionbeyond anchoring the foundation of a pier groin or other component.Since waves striking the surfaces of such boxes will be partiallyinterrupted or deflected and partially absorbed by passage through atleast one side of the box (i.e., the perforations or slots), their forcewill be at least partially dissipated. The water inside the boxesremains largely restricted or “dead” during the time periods of thewaves. Thus, such boxes may be used as “wave degeneration cells” ascomponents of the foundations of pier-groins, groins parallel orperpendicular to the shoreline, or even breakwaters. The dimensions andarrangement of the boxes as well as the dimensions and locations oftheir perforations and/or slots are of course selected to suit expectedconditions. Additionally, these boxes with openings could also serve asprotected nurseries for baby fish, crabs, oysters, etc. Such boxes, andother precast concrete boxes described below, can also be used on thesea bed to support racks, baskets or other substrates above siltationlevels for shellfish to adhere and grow. Providing such elevatedshellfish beds may permit the shellfish to be placed at the optimumdepth of water to avoid pollution and siltation and obtain maximumbenefit from currents, sunlight and nutrients. The perforations and/orslots should not extend too close to the base, where they might hinderretention and/or accumulation of anchoring material.

Such a breakwater can be built by anchoring a linear array of theprecast concrete boxes so as to form a wall either, e.g., five or eightfeet wide, then stacking the units as shown in FIG. 4 and lashing orotherwise fastening them together to form a breakwater of suitableheight. At least the lower layer of the boxes should be at leastpartially filled with sand, rock or other anchoring material, butvacancies left in some of the boxes will provide shelter for marinelife, thanks to the perforations and/or slots which allow easy access.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an improved L-wall in accordance with thepresent invention. Reinforcing bars, drain holes, securing holes and thelike can be included as shown in FIG. 1, and are omitted here forclarity. Fillets 15 can be formed of concrete between wall 4 and footer6 and/or splash plate 10 to increase the strength of the unit andprovide more cover for the steel reinforcing bars. L-wall 2 is shownwith vertical key 8 placed in a concrete culvert or “trench” 9 ofvarious depths which has been dug, levelled and backfilled to facilitateinstallation of the L-wall. Pipe 13 is cast into the portion of theL-wall between splash plate 10 and footer 6 to provide a channel forpressurized water (or water-air mixtures) to be used for “jetting” thekey 8 into place in sand and/or for flushing the key trench. Only onepipe 13 is shown in this view, but a series of pipes are to be cast intothe L-wall along its length to facilitate jetting the unit into the sandwhich has been cleared of rock and debris. Any suitable arrangement ofhoses and/or manifolds can be used to introduce water and/or air throughpipes 13 during “jetting in” the L-wall. Such “jetting in” proceduresare described in columns 9/10 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736. Another seriesof pipes 11 are included in trench 9, also to assist in jetting thetrench 9 into the sand. Expanded metal or heavy wire mesh is bent intolengths of rectangular reinforcement 17 which are open at one end andcast inside trench 9 to form a reinforcing structure.

Improved L-wall 2 is shown here with a precast concrete tip cap 20placed atop the vertical or stem portion 4. Tip cap 20 is formed muchlike a household rain gutter, with sides 21 and bottom 23 definingchannel 25, and is preferably cast in appropriate lengths to cover theentire length of the L-wall, although they can also be formed in shorterunits. Among other uses, such caps 20 can be placed atop a series ofL-walls to hold the tops of their stems 4 in alignment. Also shownschematically with this improved L-wall 2 is a set of precast concretesteps 22 cast with cap 20, a precast body incorporating a series ofright angles which can form steps when aligned with one side of stem 4of L-wall 2. The steps braced on both sides by solid sidewall units 27which are cast on each side of the step ends and contact L-wall 2 on theseaward face, respectively, of stem 4 and splash plate 10. Such a stepinstallation can be conveniently used by persons to climb to the top ofthe L-wall, which may form a portion of a seawall, bulkhead or the like.Such steps could be placed near the upstream or upcurrent side of agroin, where they would be covered by more sand on the lower steps forstability.

FIG. 6 is a side view of another accessory for L-walls 2, namely aprecast concrete sidewalk cap 30 having a channel 32 formed therein tofit atop stem 4 of L-wall 2, a cantilever support 34 and a flat walkingsurface 36 extending to one side of the unit. When L-wall 2 is builtinto a seawall or the like and the landward side is filled in, suchsidewalk caps 30 can be installed atop the L-walls to provide a flatsurface suitable for use as a sidewalk or the like. Furthermore, precastconcrete terrace retaining walls 38, having a slightly taperedrectangular cross-section, can be cast into such a sidewalk cap 30 toextend the height of the L-walls. This is also convenient for forming alow wall separating a sidewalk or walkway from the seaward side of aseawall constructed of L-walls, if not backfilled. Optionally, retainingwalls 38 could be separately cast and mechanically attached to sidewalkcap 30. In addition to providing a flat surface atop a seawall or thelike which can serve as a sidewalk, sidewalk cap 30 covers the areaimmediately behind the L-wall to prevent scour from waves or rain.Terrace retaining walls 38 can be backfilled to provide retaining wallsatop sidewalk cap 30, or left freestanding as safety rails.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of the top of stem 4 of an L-wall 2 which hasbeen topped with a railing cap 40. Railing cap 40 has a broadened lowerend containing a channel 42 adapted to fit the top of stem 4 (as withthe sidewalk cap discussed above), and is secured in place by slippingchannel 42 over the top of stem 4. Cap 40 can be mechanically fastenedto stem 4 by any suitable mechanical means, such as pins or bolts 41passing through holes 43 in both the base of cap 40 and stem 4. Acantilever section 45 can be added to cap 40, either cast integraltherewith or attached by any suitable mechanical means, to add strengthand provide a narrow walkway landward of cap 40. As with the sidewalkcaps, these railing caps can be fabricated in various lengths, and canbe used to keep the tops of the stems of adjacent L-walls in alignmentin addition to providing a railing or terrace wall atop an array ofL-walls. Railing caps 40 can also be fabricated in much shorter lengthsor as posts (i.e., a foot or so in length and width), with railings (notshown) inserted through holes 44 in adjacent units and mechanicallysecured in place. Optionally, for ornamental and personal comfortpurposes, an ornamental railing 46 can be secured to the top of suchrailing caps by inserting mechanical connection strip (or pins) 48 intogroove or holes 49 in the top of railing cap 40. Railings 46 can be madeof materials such as wood, metal and polymeric compositions, preferablythose which can be made smooth to the touch and durable when exposed tothe elements.

The sidewalk, terrace and railing caps described above can be precastconcrete as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736, and can be connectedtogether if desired, by mechanical devices also disclosed in thatpatent.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the improved L-wall of FIG. 5, withadditional features. Holes 25 are included in the stem 4 of the L-wallduring casting, to provide for drainage through the L-wall from thelandward side to seaward. These holes can be plugged if necessary (e.g.,when L-walls are used to form a dam or dike) with solid plugs 27 (formedof any durable polymer such as polyvinyl chloride), or hollow plugsretaining in place a filter cloth soil retainer 29. Filter clothretainers 29 are used in lieu of a larger continuous piece of filtercloth or geotechnical material to cover holes 25. If such filter clothor geotechnical fabric should deteriorate over time, additional solid orhollow plugs could be inserted from the accessible seaward side of theL-wall. Perforated metal or polymeric fittings 31 are cast into stem 4and/or footer 6 at each end of the L-wall to provide means forinterconnecting the L-walls via bolts or other suitable mechanicalfasteners. Drain holes 14 can be left open or plugged with solid plugs27 or hollow plugs with filter cloth, as described above.

The improved L-walls of the present invention can incorporate theextended angular splash plates, disclosed in column 6 of U.S. Pat. No.5,697,736 and the figures cited, which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 9 provides a top view of the stems 4 of two L-walls 2 which are tobe fitted together. In A, the edge of the stem 4 at the right isbevelled so as to fit into a corresponding groove in the stem 4 on theleft, backed by filter cloth for drainage or filled with bead caulk 33or other suitable material to be inserted between their surfaces toprovide a good seal between the two L-walls if used as a farm pond damor the like. The L-walls of the present invention can be cast with oneend of the stem bevelled and the other grooved, as described, tofacilitate such fitting together during installation. At B, the stem 4at right has a trapezoidal projection 37 which fits into a correspondinggroove 39 in the other stem 4. Caulking material 33 can be used as in A.The C version uses a dovetail method, with projection 41 and groove 43in the two stems 4, to provide a more secure fit. One L-wall must belifted to join the two stems in this case, and caulking is optional.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are plan, side and end views of precast concrete boxes ofthe invention which can be employed on shorelines, underwater and inintertidal zones. The boxes 90 take the form of a simple hollow box ofparallelepiped form with sides, ends, bottom and open top which can beoptionally capped with a tight-fitting top 92, held in place by gravityor optional mechanical fasteners (not shown here). Top 92 is omitted inFIG. 10 for clarity. Holes 94 are provided in the lower corners of thesides and ends to be used for connecting cables or rods (not shownhere). Vertical holes 96 are provided in each corner of the box at thetop to assist in securing top 92 when used or for mechanical connectingdevices when the boxes are stacked or secured to the bottom. A low sill98 on the inside bottom divides the box into halves for connectingoverlapping boxes alongside, and holes 99 extend laterally from side toside through this sill to accommodate connecting devices such as cablesor rods and also handling means. The boxes shown here are intended to befluid tight (when capped), in contrast to the boxes of FIG. 4, which areopen to the water in which they are immersed. The boxes can bepositioned adjacent each other (side-by-side and/or end-to-end) andfastened together using holes 94, 96 and 99 and various mechanicalfasteners. When interconnected side-by-side, the boxes are preferablypositioned in overlapping fashion (with the ends of two boxes positionedadjacent the center of a third box) to form a stronger structure. Theseboxes can also be stacked as shown in FIG. 4.

These boxes and those described below are “intermodal” shapes which canbe conveniently handled and shipped by at least two modes oftransportation, including trucking, railcar and surface watertransportation including container ships and barges. That is, they havedimensions (length, width, height) which will permit them toconveniently fit into the allowable spaces in such transport media,either singly or in combination. For example, currently standardcontainers measuring eight feet square and either twenty or forty feetlong can be easily transported by ship, rail and trucks. Furthermore,these boxes can be produced as sets of at least two different sizes,having proportional dimensions which facilitate their use in standardsize transportation media and together to form structures such asseawalls and other shoreline reinforcing systems of various sizes.

For example, FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C provide top, side and right end andplan views, respectively, of boxes of several dimensions positioned ondeck for transport in a space forty feet long and 24 feet wide, withboxes stacked to a uniform height of eight feet. The dimensions of boxesof types A through H are indicated in the legend. Clearly, where boxeshaving dimensions as large as eight feet square by forty feet long canbe conveniently transported, a number of boxes having at least onedimension a suitable fraction (e.g., one half) of these can be assembledto fill the same space for transport. Thus, for an intermodal set ofboxes, the maximum dimensions are determined by the maximum spaceavailable on deck and/or inside a truck trailer or railcar, and smallerboxes can be designed with similar proportions but having at least onedimension which is, e.g., one half or one third of those of the largestbox of the set. In other words, the smaller boxes are produced with one,two or three dimensions which are a fraction (preferably divided by awhole number) of the corresponding dimensions of the largest box of theset, which may be described as the “master” box.

Similarly, FIGS. 14A (left end) and 14B (plan view) illustrate the useof boxes selected from those of FIGS. 13A and 13B to form a structureunder the surface 306 of the water. Two “C” boxes with inner partitions98 are positioned end-to-end, and are overlapped by box “D”. Two “E”boxes are similarly placed, with their midpoints overlapping thejunctions of the “C” boxes. Pairs of boxes can be interconnected bymechanical fasteners 99.

FIG. 15 is a top view of an improved version of the box 90 of FIGS.10-12, with a partition wall 102 dividing the box 101 into halves 101Aand 101B. The box has the general shape of a parallelepipeds withcertain preferred ratios of dimensions which are discussed above.Vertical, horizontal and longitudinal sections of conduit are cast intothe walls to form holes 96 in the corners and midpoints of the walls.These formed pipes can be used for reinforcement (shown as 97), lifterand stacking attachment points and post tension cables or conduits forwires or fluids when used as building modules. Slab tops 92 (not shownhere, but similar to those of FIGS. 11/12) can be used to seal theboxes. Alternatively, such boxes could be cast in two halves, either topand bottom or front and back portions. Pressurized fluid (water and/orair) could support an internal expendable lightweight form to supportthe wet concrete being cast atop the cured bottom half to create aunitized watertight structure. Flood and drain holes 108 pass throughthe sides of box half 101A for flooding or draining, as discussed below,and are protected by internal grates 130.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are side and end views of an improved box 101, similarto box 101 of FIG. 15, illustrating devices for flooding and blowing thebox when in the water, and for fastening such boxes together to form astructure. The boxes are completely enclosed, including a solid top ortop half bolted and sealed with gaskets, elastomeric sealants or othersuitable sealing means. Cables 106 are connected to the left side of box101 through holes 118 in the corners and tensioned to compress a line ofboxes together, and are also connected to the adjacent box in an arraythereof. Resilient cushioning materials such as used tires 104 arepreferably suspended from cables 106 between the boxes to minimizeimpact damage where desired. Such cushioning materials should be placedat each corner between adjacent boxes.

FIG. 17 is an end view illustrating the placement of such tires, usingholes 118 in the corners of the box. Flood/drain holes 108 (shown as onemethod for 101A) at the bottoms of the sides of the box half 101A arepenetrated by knocking out a thinner casting of concrete should the boxneed to be flooded and sunk or later blown and surfaced. These holes areprotected by inner grates 130 to keep out gravel, etc. Valve assembly112 with an expandable washer which seals inside against air pressure,an example of which is shown inserted as 112A, is held in place in blowand vent hole 109, and sealed by a flexible “bayonet” anchor washer 113.An expandable and threaded quick connect blow fitting (shown in FIG. 30)is an alternative. Holes 115 penetrate the reinforced section adjacentto partition wall 102, and can be unplugged and fitted with pipe snap-inconnections 116. To flood the box, hose 117 can be attached to thedischarge of a pump or inserted into the sea and used as a siphon withhole 108 open, or alternatively inserted in valve 112A open as a vent.To deballast water, this is used if the flood/drain holes 108 are intactand are covered by accreted sand. Also, these holes 115 can beinterconnected to equalize pressures between the two sections of theboxes to float level. One end only could be deballasted to raise thatend and break the bottom suction forces to surface the box. Alternativeflood/drain holes 119 can be included in the bottoms of the boxes, withexternal plugs which could be uncovered and removed to permitdeballasting. The box can be made to float unevenly if needed bypartially flooding the portion at the end to be deeper.

FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate a method of floating single compartment boxesinto position and sinking them in place for installation. FIG. 18 is aside view of a box 101 floating near the surface of a body of water 120.Box 101 can be attached to a similar box via cables 106 attached at thecorners or passing through holes 118 at the corners (only partiallyshown for clarity). High pressure blow/vent valves 126 (similar to valve112 in FIG. 16) are fitted to the top of box 101. As an addition, aseptum with an air pipe or simply an air pipe 122 with valve 124 can beused to break suction, and air can be ejected through the bottom at 128.Grated flood/drain check valves 131 are fitted with rubber flappercovers 132 which close after the box has sunk to the bottom to preventsand entry, but open when air pressure forces water out of the box fordeballasting.

As shown in FIG. 19, several boxes 101 can be interconnected to form anarray, with cables 106 and tires 104 between adjacent boxes.Alternatively, larger cushioning materials 134, such as an inflatablefender, rope fender or the like, can be employed. In operation, a singlebox 101 or an array thereof (FIG. 19) is placed in the body of waternear the proposed underwater or tidal installation and moved intoposition. The box or array can be pushed or towed by tugboats, smallboats or any other suitable force. Once in position directly above theproposed installation site, the box or boxes are sunk in place byopening vent valves 126. Hydraulic or electrically operated valves,actuated by suitable signals conveyed by electrical, acoustic or optical(i.e., fiber optics) means, can be opened sequentially for a controlledand coordinated sinking of the boxes. The box or array will normallyrequire some longitudinal restraint or guidance, such as anchors, toensure that it sinks into the desired spot. Lines tended by anchoredboats or divers should suffice for side-to-side alignment of the boxes.Alternatively, anchors and small craft or tugs can be used, asillustrated in FIGS. 46-48.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a box 101 which has been sunk in body of water120 to rest upon the bottom 131. Rock, gravel, sand and other materialscan be added in and around the structure to create great mass inside (if101 is an open box) and a higher sea bottom around the box or arraythereof, as indicated at 133, and with time and tide, additional sand,silt or other materials may collect around the structure to create aneven higher bottom surface, as at 135. Also shown in FIG. 20 is a pipeor tube 136 extending from top to bottom of box 101, providing analternative method of flooding and draining the box. Air can be ventedthrough valve 126 while water is siphoned into or is pumped in throughpipe 136 to initiate flooding of the box, until pipe 136 is submergedwhen air venting through valve 126 will suck water in through pipe 135.Suction can be applied to substantially drain the box when needed, withair admitted through a hose, or while air under pressure through valve126 will also do the job. Pipe 136 is permanently installed or can beinserted through unplugged precast holes.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 illustrate the use of anti-scour plates inconjunction with the boxes of the invention. As described for theL-walls of the invention in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 at columns 5/6,waterfront structures subject to waves, tidal action or storms mayrequire devices to prevent water from “scouring” or eroding the beachmaterial from under the seaward edge of the structure. FIG. 21 is a planview showing anti-scour plates 140 attached to both sides of box 100 atthe lower edges by mechanical means 142 such as hinges, hooks, rings,cables or the like. When both sides of a box incorporated in awaterfront structure are exposed to water, anti-scour plates on bothsides may be required, as seen in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 22, wheninstalling box 100, anti-scour plate 140 can be lowered into a positionto contact the beach or underwater bottom surface beside the box. Priorto installation, anti-scour plate(s) 140 can be retained in placeagainst the sides of box 100 by suitable mechanical means such aslockable lashing eyes (shown in FIG. 25). As shown in FIG. 23, theanti-scour plates 140 can be raised or lowered into position by anysuitable mechanical means, e.g. using cables 146 attached to attachmentpoints 144 and winch 148 (or other hoisting means). Once lowered tocontact the beach surface, such anti-scour plates may be covered bydeposited sand and gravel or scoured and lowered to a position of stableequilibrium and embed themselves in the beach or underwater bottomsurface to prevent water from removing beach material from under theedge of the box. Such anti-scour plates can be formed from precastconcrete, corrosion-resistant metals, geotextile materials, polymercomposites, or any suitable material which has the required propertiesof stiffness and durability. The boxes can be shipped with anti-scourplates attached, or the components can be shipped separately.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate mechanical attachment means which can be usedto fasten such anti-scour plates to the boxes. FIG. 24 is a perspectiveview of a commercially available “twistlock stacker” 150 used tointerconnect containers on container ships. These units include lockingplate 158, attached to body 160. Handle 154 is used to manually rotatelocking plate 158. To form a hinge, a large bolt 153 can be insertedthrough eye 155 of one unit (on top 156) and through the eye of asimilar unit. The hinge is suitable for one-time uses, as in securinganti-scour plates to boxes.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of two D-ring lockable lashing eye units170, having D-rings 178 attached to D-ring hinge 176, which can beattached to boxes 100 by divers, or on the ship before offloading, andlinked by mechanical means including chains, U-bolts or detachable links180, closed by nut 182, to form a hinged attachment of the anti-scourplates to the boxes. The units can include lock 172, and the D-rings 178are attached to plate 174. Such fittings are commercially available frommany marine supply houses.

FIGS. 26 to 29 illustrate methods of attaching adjacent boxes 100 and/or101 together to form arrays. FIG. 26 is a side view of two adjacentboxes 100, each having a locking plate receptacle 180 cast into thecorner of the concrete box and anchored by steel connectors such asreinforcing bars 182. Such units consist of a hollow metal box withsmaller racetrack opening 185 embedded in the concrete to receivelocking plate 186 of twist lock inserted through opening 185 and twistedwith lashing eye 189. Chains, cables, turnbuckles or other suitablemechanical connecting means (not shown here, for clarity) can befastened to locking plate 186 to connect the boxes. These connectingmeans can be used in lieu of or in addition to tensioned cables 106 (seeFIGS. 16, 18, 19) for interconnecting the boxes. Such connecting meanscan be connected onboard the ship or barge before offloading, or bydivers on the bottom.

FIG. 27 is a side view of two boxes 100 held together by a differentialscrew 190 and cushioned by used tire 104 or the like. Female twist-locklocking plate receptacles 180 which are welded to reinforcing bar andcast into the concrete box (same as in FIG. 26) contain an oval oroblong lip and recessed larger opening underneath. Nuts 188 are includedand attached pivotally to locking plate 186 through which differentialscrew 190 can be threaded through a twist-lock lug 188 to fasten theboxes together. Holes 187 in locking plate 186 provide recesses for atool to apply torque to the lock. Fittings 192 for a power-driven drillsocket are provided to tighten differential screw 190 and produce thedesired spacing of the boxes and screw tension.

FIG. 28 is a side view of a simpler connecting system in which boxes 100are fastened together by a turnbuckle 200 connecting recesses 187 inbases 184. Many standard commercial turnbuckles can be used, with hooks206 of turnbuckle screws 202 inserted into recesses 187 and tightened byrotating turnbuckle screw 204.

FIG. 29 is a side view of two boxes 100 having recesses 187 in bases 184installed in each corner, which are to be connected by a strong metalplate 210 (or the like) and two twistlock stackers 212, shownschematically in perspective as attached to the plate. The boxes areconnected simply by positioning them the correct distance apart andinserting and tightening twistlock stackers 212 (shown in detail in FIG.24) into recesses 187 and locking them therein.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of a quick-connect fitting 220 insertedthrough a hole 254 in box 100 or 101 (formed by pipe 244 cast in placeor placed in hole 254) for venting and blowing. A hole 254 is molded orotherwise formed in the wall, top or bottom of box 101, and is linedwith or cast with a polymeric pipe insert 244 which is formed ofpolyvinyl chloride, another suitable polymer or other suitable material.Grooves 240 in the outer surface of insert 244 will retain part of thewet concrete and bond the insert to the concrete hole if inserted duringmolding. Grooves 241 on the inner surface of pipe insert 244 can befitted with elastomeric O-rings 243 to provide a seal between pipeinsert 244 and locking fitting 230. A larger tight O-ring 242 fits ingroove 245 to provide a force to squeeze locking arms 234 of the lockingfitting 230 inward to allow a fit into pipe insert 244. Locking fitting230 is fitted with top flange 232 and flexible locking arms 234.Additional O-rings 238 are fitted between top flange 232 of lockingfitting 230 and the concrete wall of box 101 and pipe insert 244.Locking fitting 230 is formed so that the upper portion of its inneraperture is threaded (256) and the lower portion of this aperture has asmaller diameter than the threaded upper portion. This allows unthreadedcylinder 229 to fit through locking fitting 230. Inner spreader insert222 has a top hexagonal flange 224 and is externally threaded (226) tobe screwed into threaded aperture 256 of locking fitting 230. Innerspreader insert 222 has a lower, unthreaded cylinder 229 which contactsthe tapered insides of the locking arms 234 of locking fitting 230 whenit is screwed in and spreads the locking arms 234 to contact pipe insert244 with a cam action to lock and compress O-rings 238. With thequick-connect fitting secured and sealed to box 100 or 101, an air linewith shutoff valve (not shown) can be inserted into hole 228 and lockedinto groove 259 to form a quick connect coupling to permit air to blowthe water ballast out of the box or connect to vent valve to contain airto float the box or release air to permit flooding and sinking.

FIGS. 31 to 33 illustrate the use of such concrete boxes to construct awaterfront boathouse. Plan view FIG. 32 (without roof deck 314 forclarity) shows three or more concrete boxes 103 of suitable size andproportions assembled open side up, optionally fitted with concrete orwooden tops (e.g., as shown in FIG. 12) upon the bottom 304 of a shallowharbor or other body of water 306 in a U-shaped configuration forming amooring area 308 to shelter a boat 310. The upper surfaces of the boxes103 can be fitted with standard mooring fixtures and the like (not shownhere), and allow passengers to easily embark and debark on or from theboat. Boats may be moored on the outer sides of the boathouse as well,if desired. As shown in end view FIG. 31, boxes 103 are higher than thedepth of water 306, but for deeper water or locations where minor tidesoccur, boxes 103 can be stacked two or more layers deep to provide anupper surface which will lie above the highest normal water level. Holes302 are provided in the closed bottoms and/or tops of boxes 103, oralternatively outside of the boxes, to accommodate pilings 312, whichare driven into bottom 304 to retain boxes 103 in place. The boxes canalso be interconnected by mechanical means, as discussed above.

The pilings are hollow tubes of metal or plastic pipe, which are filledwith concrete when all boxes and pilings are in place to providepermanent structural strength. Since the main strength is provided bythe concrete thus cast, the material for the pipes is not critical, butthey are preferably made of durable plastic materials such as PVC sothat they will not corrode. The boathouse structure here is emplacedwith the closed end toward the shore (with normal walkways or the likeprovided for access, but not shown here) and the open end toward thewater for boat access. The closed end of the boathouse is shown in FIG.31.

Optionally, a roofdeck 314 can be provided, comprising a solid deck 316perched atop pilings 312 and secured in place mechanically. Deck 316 canalso be of precast concrete of suitable thickness such as precastsections spanning the distance between pilings 312 and any necessarysupports, wood, recycled plastic “lumber” or any suitable buildingmaterial. Preferably roofdeck 314 includes an open railing 318 suspendedfrom posts 319 for safety, and is provided with access by stairs orladders (not shown) for use by the owners. Movable or fixed sidecurtains or other closures such as fixed walls (not shown) can beprovided for privacy and protection of boats using the structure.

Since such a structure with completely solid sides underwater could bevulnerable to scouring and forces exerted by local currents, as shown inFIG. 33, arched passages 320 and/or pipes or culverts 321 are cast orcut into the sides of boxes 103, extending approximately as high as theexpected water level 306, to allow any currents to flow through asindicated by arrows in FIGS. 31 and 32. These boxes are preferably castwith a solid surface extending along arch 320 to provide a bottom of thebox to hold sand which can be added for ballast. A flat bottom can alsobe included to spread the weight of the structure over a larger area,and the structure can also be mechanically attached to piles 312 forsupport to prevent settling.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are open end and plan views of a floating boathouse 400employing enclosed boxes 103 of the invention. Boxes 103 are againassembled to form a U-shaped structure to accommodate a boat 310therein. The boxes are interconnected by suitable cables or connectorsas shown in FIGS. 26, 27 and 28. Boxes 103 float in water 306 adjacentto shoreline 402. The boxes can be completely precast or enclosed byadding precast concrete covers as described in FIGS. 11/12 or decks ofwood, recycled plastic lumber or the like. To help the boxes to float,they can be sealed to retain air, can be compartmented as shown in FIG.15 and/or filled with foam, ping-pong balls, styrofoam packing materialsor other buoyant materials. Intermodal-sized boxes which measure eightfeet square by forty feet long can conveniently be used. Boathouse walls404 are erected upon the upper decks of boxes 103 to form a boathousestructure thereon. Walls 404 are preferably strong weight-bearing solidwalls (using suitable construction materials discussed above) to supportan optional deck 314 as described above, but can be cut out to formwindows, doors, etc. Roof deck 316 supports rails 318 supported by posts319. Beams 406 extend from the inner upper edges of boxes 103 to thelower surface of roof deck 316 to increase strength and rigidity. Thetop decks of boxes 103 can be fitted with appropriate mooring fixturesfor boat 310 (not shown here), allowing mooring both inside and outsidethe walls. The boathouse itself can be secured to bottom 304 by standardmooring systems such as a four point moor, chains 410 to clump anchor412, or screw anchors 413. The boathouse can also be retained in placeby a number of piles 105 passing through rings or brackets 107 which areattached to the sides of boxes 103. Ramp 408 or other suitable means canbe used to provide access from the deck of box 103 to boat 310.Similarly, optional pier or walkway 410 connects the floating boathouseto land 402. Two or more rigid spacing bars 315 are provided between thearrays of boxes and mechanically attached at 317 to keep them inalignment. This boathouse design can provide a relocatable, permanent ortemporary facility for pilots, marine patrols, military forces, CoastGuard, and the like.

FIGS. 36 and 37 (plan and side views) illustrate a standard fixedboathouse design 420 with a series of concrete boxes 103 added aroundthe supporting piles 311 to protect them from ice and storms by addingmass to the structure and deflecting floating objects. The piles can beany conventional type of wood, metal or concrete, or pipe filled withconcrete as discussed in FIGS. 31-33. The concrete boxes which areplaced about the piles are precast concrete boxes as described above,which can have either closed or perforated sides, and are approximatelysquare in cross-section, preferably being approximately cubical. Thepiles are inserted through holes placed in the bottoms (and tops, ifpresent) of the boxes, which are stacked in the positions where thepiles are to be driven. Once the piles are driven and the boxes filledwith water and sand or gravel, the assemblies for a support for theboathouse (or other structure) that is almost impervious to floating iceor other debris, waves or currents. The boxes are stacked andinterconnected by methods discussed above. Such precast concretestructures extending from the bottom to the waterline or higher can beemployed to protect various types of waterfront structures, such asdecks, mills, dam or power plant components and the like. Lifts 423 canbe provided to lift boats out of the water.

FIGS. 38 to 40 illustrate a precast concrete “bridge box” 450 which is along, flat parallelepiped in form, including a hemispherical, round,rectangular or oval cutout portion 452 in both of the longer sides. Thebox can be closed on all sides except where cut out, or can be open onthe bottom below cutout 452. Preferably the box is cast with a solidbottom along cutout portion 452, to retain sand which may be added viasuitable inlets for ballast. Alternatively, pipes 453 of appropriatenumber and size can be cast into an otherwise completely enclosed bridgebox. FIG. 38 is a side view of a single bridge box 450, while FIG. 39 isa top view of a bridge 454 assembled from three boxes 450 placed. sideby side to form a roadbed or path, cutouts 452 coinciding to form aculvert 455 for a stream or other running water to pass under. a waterflow 456 through the culvert. Preferably concrete anti-scour plates 458are fitted by hinges 457 on both sides of boxes 450 to protect the loweredges where water flow through the culvert. Additionally, large or smallpipes 459 and 460 cast into the boxes as conduits provide ready-made andprotected means for installing utility lines. Such bridges or structurescan be incorporated into shoreline reinforcement systems constructed inaccordance with the invention. They can also be used to constructstructures requiring bases which will accommodate water flow, such asthe boathouse illustrated in FIGS. 31-33. This bridge box structure andmethod could provide for much cheaper and faster construction ofbridges, addition of traffic lanes, or replacement of old bridges oversmall streams and rivers. They could also be post tensioned over a widerstream or marsh. This design could also be used as a box penetration forstorm water to pass from beachfront roads through “boardwalk” boxes andberm boxes to allow storm water to flow to the sea.

FIGS. 41 and 42 illustrate a shoreline reinforcement system constructedprimarily of precast concrete boxes in accordance with the invention. Inform and effect, this system resembles the systems disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,697,736 in columns 11/12 and FIGS. 18/19. FIG. 41, the planview, shows an array of boxes of various sizes assembled along theshoreline to form a seawall and a “backbone” structure for a berm orsand dune seaward of the seawall. These boxes, in suitable sizes andproportions and numbered 501, 502 and 503, will generally be installedby heavy equipment such as cranes or tracked excavators, either fromseaward or shoreward, and are filled with sand to provide permanentballast. They can then be topped with permanent precast concrete coversif desired to form a walkway atop the seawall and prevent scour of thefill inside the box. These boxes can be described as “boardwalk boxes”501 and are described in detail and illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. Theboxes can take the form of rectangular parallepipeds, typically abouteight to twelve feet wide by twenty to forty feet long by eight feethigh, or can be nearly cubical units half that long. The large boxes 501shown are segmented (with partitions 102) and can be about eight feetsquare by forty feet long. Using boxes in at least two lengthsfacilitates their installation in lengths suitable for the constructionsite and local conditions. Also, as described above, it is convenientfor shipping to use intermodal units having lengths of ten, twenty orforty feet.

Extending laterally down the beach from the seawall are at least twoarrays of “berm boxes” 502, which can be about four feet high by eightfeet wide by twenty feet long, to provide berm groins and closed bermcells 504 much like those employed in the systems in the patent cited.Smaller box groins 503 form open groin cells 505. These may be openboxes which are filled with sand and then fitted with tops, or if localtidal conditions permit, can be floatable boxes which are floated intoposition and then sunk in place, as described above. Another lateral rowof berm boxes 502 is installed perpendicular to the berm groins andapproximately parallel to the seawall, filled with sand and left open orcovered. The beach spaces between the berm groins and lateral rows ofboxes are partially filled with sand and preferably covered with filtercloth and articulated concrete mats as disclosed in the patent cited, incolumns 10/11 and FIGS. 16/17, then covered with more sand.

Alternatively, the spaces can simply be partially filled with gravel,rip-rap and/or sand, and local winds, tides and waves allowed to depositadditional sand, etc. with time. The result will be a stable structurethat prevents erosion of the shoreline and actually tends to build upsand and gravel to form additional beach under most conditions. Stormprotection is also provided for the boardwalk (or seawall) boxes and thelandward buildings and other structures.

Additional smaller groins 503 can be added to seaward of the lowerlateral row of boxes described above. Such groins 503 can be formed ofarrays of at least one “beach box” 503 (which can be about four feetwide by four feet or 2′ 8″ high and ten or twenty feet long) at theright and left sides, as described above for the berm boxes, and filledwith sand or gravel for ballast. Such boxes are preferably set from theland, or if intended to extend into the sea, floated into position andsunk in place for installation. In addition, or as an alternative,T-walls 506 and bevelled T walls 507 can be used as shown in the centerand described in the patent cited, in column 7 and FIGS. 8, 9 and 18.Such T-walls could be used for the entire pier-groins as disclosed inthe patent cited, or simply to provide the seaward components of thissystem (in which case the bevelled ends of the outward T-walls minimizepotential damage to boats and the like which approach closely). Ingeneral, with no beach existing, it will be easier to install beachboxes where they can be floated into position, so they are preferred formost components of the systems of the present invention. With anestablished beach, installation from landward is preferred. The double Tor “pi” units of FIG. 3 can also be used as components of such shorelinesystems, arranged parallel and/or perpendicular to the shoreline.

FIG. 42 shows the system of FIG. 41 in side view, the entire structurelying above mean high water, and the level of sand expected to build upafter storms and after renourishing by normal tidal action or byartificial methods. This system can be installed before renourishing aneroded beach to retain a large percentage of the new sand, which mightotherwise be washed out to sea during a storm. Even if some of thesacrificial sand is lost, these massive interconnected boxes and otherstructures are not easily moved by storm waves. However, if necessary,the boxes can be disconnected and relocated, using suitable heavyequipment.

FIGS. 43 to 45 illustrate a novel vessel 570 and method for transportingand installing precast concrete boxes of the invention to locations forinstallation to form shoreline structures, breakwaters and the like.Plan view FIG. 43 and side view FIG. 44 show a vessel 570 comprising twoportions, bow 558 and stern 552, fastened to midsection 562. Sternportion 552 comprises the conventional propulsion system (not shown), atleast one propeller 554 and pilot house 556 with appropriate controls.“Thruster” type propulsion 559 can also be provided to improvemaneuvering. Bow 558 comprises storage spaces for supplies, at least oneanchor (not shown) and a crane unit 560. Both sections have flatvertical surfaces comprising primarily watertight bulkheads with aminimum of openings which can be secured to permit them to floatindependently. Bow 558 and stern 552 can be fastened together as shownin side view FIG. 45 to form vessel 550 and secured by appropriatemechanical means such as larger twistlock stackers (as shown in FIG.28), turnbuckle locks, bolts, cam locks and the like. Thus secured,vessel 550 can travel under its own power to a port where a stacked andsecurely interconnected floating array of precast concrete boxes of theinvention can be attached between the bow and stern sections fortransportation.

As shown in FIG. 44, a large group of such boxes 101 can be stacked andgrouped together to form a box module 562, which is fastened togetherunder longitudinal and lateral tension by a tensioning systemcomprising, e.g., corners 564 and 566 and cables 568. Similar lockingconnections on the corner plates permit the array of boxes to be securedto the bow and stern sections of the vessel. Once assembled, box module562 is moved from an onshore assembly site (e.g. on a pier, wharf orramp) by large crane or other suitable means into the harbor waters andfloated into deeper water alongside a pier or within the harbor wherethe vessel may freely enter. Such a module can be maneuvered around suchrestricted waters using mini-tugs (e.g., converted military landingcraft) or other suitable small craft and suitable attachment pointswhich are provided on the outside surfaces of the module (not shownhere).

With the module held in place by such tugs, anchored or moored to buoys,vessel 550 can be brought alongside, bow section 558 detached from sternsection 552 and stern section maneuvered against the rear surface of themodule 562, using propeller 554, thruster propulsion 559 or tugassistance if necessary. Contemporaneously, tugs or other craft hold bowsection 558 in position until stern section 552 is attached to module562. The vessel's anchor can be used to anchor bow section 558 duringthis period if desired, provided that an auxiliary power source isprovided to power the anchor windlass. Then bow section 558 ismaneuvered into position against the front surface of module 562 by tugsand secured in place. The same systems used to fasten the bow and sternsections of the vessel together can be used to attach the bow and sternsections to the array 562 of boxes. The result is a “stretched” vessel570 (shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 assembled, FIG. 46 in disassembled state)which can travel under its own power to the location where the boxes areto be disassembled and/or installed.

In addition to transporting and unloading such floating arrays ofconcrete boxes as described above, the vessel of the invention can beused to carry a variety of other floating objects or arrays of objects,provided they are sufficiently buoyant, have appropriate proportions andcan be fitted with attachment devices to attach them securely to the twohull sections of the vessel. Various types of containers and tanks,floating bridges, pontoons, caissons and other floating constructioncomponents can be incorporated in the vessel and transported. This couldbe of particular value when transporting and installing components toform structures in areas of military landings. Furthermore, such avessel could be constructed to have the appropriate size, proportionsand attachment fittings to transport floating drydocks, whethercommercial or military. Since floating drydocks have high freeboard andlimited stability at sea, transporting them as the midship section ofsuch a vessel could provide a faster and safer method of overseastransport for these valuable ship repair vessels.

FIG. 45 is a side view showing the vessel 550 with bow section 558 andstern section 552 again connected together, box module 562 having beenremoved by reversing the sequence of steps described above. Thrusters ormini-tugs (not shown here) can be carried on the forward deck and/or ina forward hold and offloaded using crane 560 to facilitate this process.In FIG. 45, a portion of the module tensioning system has been loosenedand crane 560 is lifting the first box 101 to be offloaded. Dependingupon the depth of water near shore and the positions where the boxes areto be installed, the vessel and crane may be able to deposit the boxesin the water directly above or near the installation point, or near theinstallation point ashore. Alternatively, the boxes can be placed intothe water near shore and maneuvered into installation position bymini-tugs or other suitable craft.

FIGS. 46 to 48 illustrate another method of transporting and installingarrays of precast boxes of the invention. FIG. 46 is a side view of abarge 600 or similar vessel floating in water 602 over bottom 610 wherea breakwater is to be installed. Vessel 600 can be self-propelled, inwhich case propellor 620 and associated propulsion systems are provided.Precast concrete boxes 604 are connected by stainless steel cables 606(or other suitable mechanical means) and arranged on deck 612 inposition to be unloaded as an array via ramp 608. The boxes can be thespecial perforated and slotted “breakwater boxes” disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,697,736 and illustrated herein in FIG. 4 (having thin concreteknockouts or plugs), but can also be open boxes as in FIGS. 10 to 12 orclosed boxes fixed with flood/drain and blow/vent valves as illustratedin FIGS. 16/17. Ramp 608 can be held in position during operations byusing suitable mechanical restraints such as cables or hydraulic rams,as well as floats.

The array of boxes can be unloaded from the barge by dropping a heavyanchor 614 which is attached to the array by extended cable 607, thenbacking the barge (by self-propulsion or tug, not shown here) to exerttension on cable 607, as illustrated in FIG. 47. Barge 600 will requirea smooth, level deck upon which the array of boxes can be arranged, andproviding rollers or lubrication before the boxes are loaded andconnected would be helpful. FIG. 47 illustrates the array of boxes 604floating on the surface 602 and interconnected by cable 606 (not seenhere), with the boxes pulled closely together. One end of cable 607 isstill held by anchor 614, but the array of boxes has been moved closerto that anchor by winches or boats to bring it near the point where thebreakwater is to be installed. At the other end of the array, cable 606passes through block 618 on anchor 615, which was dropped from the bargedeck after the last box slid down ramp 608. Clamps or other mechanicalrestraints 616 and 617 position the array of boxes at preplannedportions of cables 606 and 607 after the desired amount of tension oncable 606 and the desired position of the array is attained. This isaccomplished by applying force to the barge end of cable 606 via a winch(not shown) or other appropriate device.

When the array is in optimum position for installation as determined bynavigational or global positioning system fixes, all boxes are sunksequentially or simultaneously by remote control or manual means, andallowed to settle into their installed positions to form a submergedbreakwater or reef 622 as shown in FIG. 48. Cable 606 can then be simplycut from the barge deck, or if desired, a diver can be employed tosecure cable 606 to block 618 on anchor 615 and the excess cut, toprovide extra security for the breakwater. As discussed in the patentcited, at columns 8/9, such breakwaters can be very beneficial inreducing or eliminating the presence of swells in harbors which are atleast partially exposed to open water. As an alternative, theinterconnected boxes can be left floating to mitigate passing waveenergy.

FIGS. 49 and 50 illustrate how the precast, intermodal concrete boxescan be used to construct buildings for use either above or below groundor water. Dwelling structure 650 includes first floor 654 and secondfloor 652, all constructed of precast concrete boxes of various standardsizes and proportions, being interconnected and stacked to form the two(or more) stories. The concrete boxes are amenable to intermodaltransportation as well as lifting and placement on the ground (oractually in water, if the bottom units are waterproof) or stacking, asillustrated in FIG. 49. Doors, windows, open walls, conduits forutilities, and the like (not shown here) can easily be included for usein these standardized boxes and/or cut during installation/assembly. Thewalls of the precast boxes in effect become interior and exterior walls,floors and ceilings of the various rooms or spaces contained within thestructure.

Because the concrete is strong, resistant to liquids and vermin, it canbe used in wet areas, acidic soils, underground, on water, under waterand in other challenging environments. It is ideal for constructingstrong, relocatable structures, such as for military or security areas.Such precast boxes can be ideal for constructing bunkers, falloutshelters, underground or underwater storage facilities orearth-sheltered homes. FIGS. 49 and 50 illustrate the employment ofprecast concrete of various sizes and proportions suitable for formingvarious typical rooms of a combined dwelling/office structure. Forexample, large unfinished modules 658 can be used for garages or thelike, and smaller modules 655 and 656 can be used for bathrooms andbedrooms.

Some applications of precast concrete boxes of the invention forshellfish habitat are illustrated in FIG. 51. In many areas, thecultivation of shellfish such as oysters and mussels has been adverselyaffected by pollution and silting of bottoms of bays and other bodies ofwater, which may be exacerbated by harvesting techniques which disturbbottom sediments. To permit the cultivation of shellfish above thebottom in such areas and facilitate harvesting without aggravating suchproblems, FIG. 51 provides a precast concrete box 700 with enclosedsides containing holes 702 and/or slots 704. As illustrated in FIG. 4above, these openings can be at least partially filled with breakable,thin concrete sections to provide knockout areas to facilitate thesinking of the boxes. The openings in the box permit its use as shelterby small fish, crabs, crustaceans and shellfish. Although the box couldbe raised by filling it with ping-pong balls, styrofoam particles,inflatable balloons or the like, because of its weight this embodimentis more suitable for use as a permanent seed bed to remain on thebottom.

The boxes are provided with removable concrete tops 710 which can beheld in place with pins 708 passing through holes 706 in both covers andthe corners of the boxes. Shellfish are to be cultivated on the coversof the boxes when sunk into place, thus elevating the shellfish at leastthe height of the box (perhaps 4 to 8 feet) above the bottom where theyare removed from silt and pollutants and exposed to currents carryingmore nutrients and oxygen. The boxes preferably have dimensions andproportions which permit intermodal transport and the covers areprovided with various types of projections or roughened surfaces topromote adhesion by shellfish spat. This working surface of the coversis turned inward for convenience in transport, then is reversed andsecured in place before sinking and installation of the boxes. In FIG.51, cover 710 is covered with at least one layer of projections 712(here, three layers) having the form of rectangular parallepipeds, whichcan be laid down horizontally in crisscross patterns as shown. Inaddition to producing boxes and covers of concrete comprising crushedbivalve shells, preferably oyster shells, the projections 712 can becast or otherwise produced of similar materials. The objective is toprovide rough, porous surfaces which are hospitable to shellfish spat,with projections which are spaced appropriately to foster rapid andproductive growth of the shellfish to harvestable size. As analternative or addition to such projections, the covers can be cast tocontain large fragments of broken bivalve shells, as shown in FIG. 52 as717 on concrete cover 710. This in itself could provide an ideal oysterbed, but oyster shells and comparable materials are in short supply andmust be conserved. Also shown in FIG. 52 are rectangular projections 714which are cast or attached perpendicular to cover 710.

FIGS. 53 and 53A illustrate another type of shellfish habitat, with FIG.53 schematically illustrating a meshwork container 701 with attachmentpoints 726 at the upper corners for attaching bridle cables 728 andhoisting cable 730. Pins 722 are fitted to the lower corners so that thecontainer can be mounted atop a precast concrete box such as box 700 ofFIG. 51, or any suitable container or platform which will elevate thehabitat to the proper level above the bottom. Any suitable mesh oropenwork material 733 can be used to construct containers 701 about asuitable framework including rigid components 732, including expandedmetal, heavy wire mesh and the like. The vertical sides of the containershould be mesh as shown, but the bottom can be solid (725) and/or mesh(723). For durability, meshwork of stainless steel or syntheticpolymeric materials may be preferred. Container 701 is to be filled withsuitable objects for the adherence of shellfish spat, such as used tires724, optionally filled with broken shells, stainless steel wire meshstructures, plastic pipe reinforced with steel, fragments of concrete,and the like, any of which can contain bivalve shells or mature oysters.

Two ways of providing inner mesh structures are to install verticalsections of mesh 736 extending from a narrow end of the container (wherethey attach to frames 732 and/or side mesh 733) to at least the center,where they can be attached to wire or rod supports 727. Such verticalmesh sections could extend from one end of the container to the other.In addition, or alternatively, horizontal layers of mesh 734 can beattached to a narrow end of the container, extending parallel to thebottom at least to the center of the container, where they can beattached to wire or rod supports 729. Such horizontal layers of mesh canalso extend the entire length of the container.

A precast concrete top 710, much like that shown in FIG. 52, isprovided. Various types of projections,including those shown in FIGS. 51and 52, can be used. FIG. 53A illustrates projections 716 and 718, whichare cylindrical and conical, respectively. Conical projections arepreferred, as they are easier to remove from the molds used to cast theassembly. Additional components can be mounted on these projections,such as used tires 720, optionally filled with bivalve shells, stainlesssteel wire mesh structures, etc.

Since container 701 is much lighter than a concrete box, even whenfilled with structures for shellfish culture, hoisting and bridle cables730 and 728 can be used to lift the entire container, cover and all, oralternatively, similar cables can be connected to lift cover 710independently. Also, if the container 701 is mounted upon a solidconcrete box such as illustrated in FIG. 15 having apparatus forintroducing air to expel the water, the box itself can be blown andraised to the surface, carrying the container on top. Once eithercomponent (the container or cover) is hoisted clear of the water, thecontents can be hosed off to remove any silt or sand and the assemblyshaken or vibrated over a vessel's deck or hold to dislodge oysters orother shellfish (e.g., mussels) for harvest.

Various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodimentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover such changes andmodifications, and are the sole limits on the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. An integrated shoreline reinforcement system comprising atleast one row of ballasted precast concrete boxes approximately parallelto said shoreline, with at least two rows of ballasted concrete boxesattached approximately perpendicular to said at least one row of boxesparalleling said shoreline to form groins and define horizontal beachspaces between adjacent groins, wherein the horizontal beach spacesbetween said groins are covered with filter cloth and concrete matsections laid thereon and wherein at least one precast inverted “T”member is attached to the seaward end of each of said groins and theupper seaward corner of the endmost seaward “T” member of each of saidgroins is bevelled to prevent damage to boats in their vicinity.
 2. Theshoreline reinforcement system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion ofsaid concrete boxes are fitted with solid precast covers.
 3. Theshoreline reinforcement system of claim 1, further comprising at leastone row of a plurality of sunken precast concrete boxes emplacedapproximately parallel to said shoreline to form a breakwater.
 4. Aprecast concrete box for construction of seawalls, breakwaters and otherstructures, which has the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, andcomprises at least two separate inner compartments of substantiallyequal volume which can be independently flooded or blown, enclosed onall sides and comprising means for flooding same with water and forsubsequently expelling said water using air pressure or pumping means.5. A set of precast concrete boxes in accordance with claim 4 comprisinga plurality of boxes having at least two different sizes and sets ofproportions which are so dimensioned as to permit said boxes to beconveniently and efficiently shipped together by fitting densely intointermodal transport means and assembled together to form structures. 6.The precast concrete box of claim 4 wherein a the partition separatingsaid separate compartments is substantially perpendicular to the longestdimension of said box.
 7. A precast concrete box for construction ofseawalls, breakwaters and other shoreline structures, enclosed on allsides and comprising means for flooding same with water and forsubsequently expelling said water using drains, air pressure or pumpingmeans, comprising at least two separate inner compartments which can beindependently flooded or blown, further comprising valve means adaptedto equalize at least one of air pressure and liquid contents betweensaid separate compartments.
 8. A method of installing the precastconcrete boxes of claim 4 water to form an integrated structure along ashoreline, comprising steps of: sealing at least all inlets below theexpected waterline of said boxes; placing the boxes in water adjacentthe planned installation site; floating said boxes into position; andopening sufficient water inlets and air outlets to allow said boxes tosink into their assigned places, whereby the boxes are emplaced adjacentto each other to form said structure, wherein each box is guided intoposition while sinking by at least one method selected from the groupconsisting of: a) positioning the floating boxes with boats, anchors andtensioning means; and b) partial suspension of the boxes from fixedfloats, barges or ships using hoisting means.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein said inlets and said outlets are opened remotely.
 10. The methodof claim 8 wherein all boxes are completely submerged in their assignedpositions at low tide.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein at least aportion of said boxes are at least partially above water under sometidal condition.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein each box is fittedwith resilient spacers on each corner during at least the installationand settling process.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein a plurality ofsaid boxes are emplaced beneath the water, adjacent each other on thesea bottom, to form a submerged breakwater or reef, further comprisingsteps of: positioning said boxes atop a flat deck of a vessel able toaccess the proposed installation site, said flat deck being relativelyclose to the waterline of said vessel; fitting said boxes with resilientspacers at each corner and slidably connecting said boxes end-to-end viacable means; emplacing an anchor on the bottom near the plannedinstallation position, said anchor being connected to said cable meansnear the after end of said vessel; launching the interconnected boxesinto the water while said vessel proceeds forward; maneuvering saidboxes into end-to-end contact and clamping the resulting string of boxesin place on said cable means; positioning the resulting floating stringof boxes in position above the planned installation position; andsinking said boxes while guiding them into final position on said bottomby securing the forward end of said cable by means to a second anchor atthe opposite end of the string from the first anchor and applyingtension to said cable means from said vessel via winch means; andleaving said boxes in place as a structure.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising a step of removing said cable means and said anchorsfrom said boxes after installation.
 15. The method of claim 13 whereinsaid vessel is a barge.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein said vesselhas a bow door and ramp or an after well deck affording access to thewater for floating said boxes directly into the water.
 17. The method ofclaim 13 wherein said vessel is a container ship fitted with cranes tohoist said boxes from deck level to water level.
 18. The method of claim13 which further comprises installing anti-scour means adjacent thebases of at least a portion of said boxes on sides which are exposed towater.
 19. The method of claim 8 which further comprises installinganti-scour means adjacent the bases of said boxes on sides which areexposed to water.
 20. A set of intermodal precast concrete boxes forassembly into structures, each box having the form of a rectangularparallelepiped and having at least one dimension adapted to fitconveniently into at least one transportation mode comprising trucktrailers, rail cars, barges and container ships, the set comprising aplurality of boxes having at least two different combinations ofdimensions and/or proportions defining larger and smaller boxes whereinthe smaller boxes have at least one dimension which is a whole numberfraction of the corresponding dimension of the largest box of said setand each box is completely enclosed except for mechanical means forflooding and sinking and blowing and surfacing said boxes fromunderwater.
 21. The set of precast concrete boxes of claim 20 whereineach box includes openings selected from holes and slots in at least onesurface thereof.
 22. The set of precast concrete boxes of claim 20wherein each of said boxes is completely enclosed except for a removabletop.
 23. A precast concrete bridge box having the overall form of arectangular parallelepiped with at least five surfaces completelyenclosed, the sixth surface comprising the longest dimension of said boxand the two longest surfaces adjacent thereto being partially cut out toform an unobstructed channel sufficiently large to permit substantialwater flow adjacent said sixth surface when it rests upon the ground,which is fitted with anti-scour means attached to the lower wall on atleast one side which is to be exposed to water.
 24. The precast concretebridge box of claim 23 wherein said sixth surface is completely enclosedexcept adjacent the cut-out portions of the adjacent surfaces, and thecutout portions of said surfaces are joined with an enclosure to sealsaid box on all sides and define said channel.
 25. The precast concretebridge box of claim 23 which further comprises means for introducingballast to fill said box.
 26. A precast concrete bridge box having theoverall form of a rectangular parallelepiped with at least five surfacescompletely enclosed, the sixth surface comprising the longest dimensionof said box and the two longest surfaces adjacent thereto beingpartially cut out to foam an unobstructed channel sufficiently large topermit substantial water flow adjacent said sixth surface when it restsupon toe ground, further comprising at least one conduit passage castinto said box substantially perpendicular to said channel and connectingtwo surfaces of said box.
 27. The shoreline reinforcement system ofclaim 1 wherein at least a portion of said concrete boxes are fittedwith anti-scour means adjacent the bases of said boxes on sides whichare exposed to water.
 28. The precast concrete box of claim 4 whichfurther comprises anti-scour means adapted to be installed adjacent thebase of said box on sides of (the box) which are exposed to water.